Boys' basketball: Marmonte League preview of all games tonight

Full Marmonte League preview for tonight from Ryan Moore, Ventura County hoops guru

Simi Valley 10 - 4 (2 - 0) @ Moorpark 13 - 1 (2 - 0)

Moorpark:
- Moorpark comes into the game sporting their best record since they won the league championship in 2003. The Musketeers have already surpassed their win total of the last two seasons combined.
- Moorpark is led by ultra-athletic wing, Lionel Poole who averages 12 points and 9 rebounds per game along with sharp shooting sophomore, Jake Meyers.
- Moorpark went 4 - 0 in the Cathedral City Tournament's California Division but somehow did NOT win the championship due to some very interesting scheduling on the part of the tournament.
- Coach Eddie Gutierrez has done a masterful job rebuilding the program in just his 3rd season at the helm after previous stops at Royal (head coach) and Newbury Park (assistant coach).

Simi Valley:
- Simi Valley is an enigma at times this season with wins over Ventura and Valencia and losses to St. Francis and Flintridge Prep.
- The Pioneers are led by George Washington signee, Jonathan Davis who is averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game. Junior, DJ Saul and senior, Jesse Di Nonno are almost halfway (59 - 3 pointers made) to being the most prolific three point shooting duo in Pioneer history. The record is currently held by Jered Weaver and Ryan Bradshaw with 126. Saul is just hitting his stride after missing three games in the Crescenta Valley Tournament with the flu.
- Simi Valley has never finished lower than 3rd in the league under Coach Christian Aurand.

Tonight's Game :
These two teams have never met with both being undefeated in league play.
A share (or sole possession) of first place is on the line tonight depending on the outcome of the Westlake @ Thousand Oaks game.
Californiapreps.com has Moorpark #3 in Ventura County and Simi Valley at #4.

Westlake 9 - 6 (1 - 1) @ Thousand Oaks 13 - 1 (2 - 0)

Westlake :
- Westlake has perhaps the most bulk in the league with Taylor Tattersall (6'4), Nick Zavala (6'6), Blake Reed (6'4), Johnny Stuart (6'4), Nick Kahn (6'4) and Angelo Jacobs (6'4) all checking in at 6'4 or taller.
- Brennan Walker has staked his claim as one of the best point guards in the league so far this season. His behind the back passes and flair for the dramatic give him a Pistol Pete like feel and he can ignite his team's fast break in a hurry.
- Westlake went 2 - 2 last week in the Ventura Kiwanis Tournament

Thousand Oaks :
- Thousand Oaks is led by Austin Cagely and his 16 points per game along with Anthony Jacques and Evann Hall. Hall was a 1st team all Marmonte League selection a year ago.
- Thousand Oaks went 3 - 1 in the Cathedral City Tournament's National Division last week, losing in the championship to Capo Valley.
- Thousand Oaks has won or shared 8 of the last 13 league titles.

Tonight's Game:
Thousand Oaks is hands-down the toughest place to play in the Marmonte League but long-time rival Westlake has done admirably over the past few seasons (2 point loss last season, 4 point loss in 07 - 08 and a 36 - 35 victory in 06 - 07)
Westlake beat Thousand Oaks and Calabasas last year which ended up creating a tie in the Marmonte League standings between Calabasas and Thousand Oaks. (Westlake's win forced a must win game for Thousand Oaks @ Calabasas in the final regular season game)

Royal 9 - 6 ( 0 - 2) @ Calabasas 10 - 5 (1 -1 )

Royal:
Royal is perhaps the youngest team in the league, often starting 4 sophomores and a junior.
Max McCoy and JR Powell are the scoring leaders on offense for the Highlanders and both have almost unlimited range.
Royal went 2 - 2 in the tough Clovis Elks Tournament last week, beating Beyer (Modesto) and Sunnyside (Fresno) while dropping close contests to Buchanan (Clovis) and Clovis East.

Calabasas
Callum Dewar has been the leading scorer so far this season and has been an all tournament selection at Campbell Hall and Chaminade.
Freshman point guard, Jeremy Lieberman leads the league in assists at 4.8 a game.
Calabasas went 3 - 1 last week, losing in the championship to tournament host, Chaminade.

Tonight's Game:
Calabasas is a tough place to play but Royal's roster although young, has plenty of experience with McCoy, Powell, and sophomore Nick Creber all contributing to the varsity last season.
Calabasas has never lost to Royal since joining the Marmonte League but Royal does own a 40 point victory over Calabasas in the Saugus Tournament during Russell White's 1st season as head coach at Calabasas.

Agoura 7 - 7 (0 - 2 ) @ Newbury Park 3 - 11 (0 - 2)

Agoura:
Agoura got off to a hot start winning 5 of their first 6 games, including a tough championship game loss in the Burbank Tournament to Notre Dame.
Steve Wilson has led the Chargers with a shade under 16 points per contest.
Shayan Boloor has led the Chargers in almost every other statistical category after being named 3rd team All-Marmonte League last season.

Newbury Park:
Newbury Park has had a tough start to the season after being hit hard by graduation last year.
The Panthers have won 2 of their last 3 games (against Salesian and AGBU) in the Chaminade Tournament
Kamana Keohohou has been the leader this season as a junior after starting much of his sophomore season at the point guard spot.

Tonight's Game:
Agoura came into the year with hopes of grabbing an automatic playoff bid from the league, tonight is a must win for the Chargers to keep that goal alive.
The winner of tonight's game keeps playoff hopes alive, albeit on the outside looking in and the loser will have a tough hole to dig out of the rest of the way.